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The college football season is right around the corner. The 2010 campaign kicks off with Presbyterian at Wake Forest, Thursday, September 2.
BCS TOP 10
1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Boise State
4. Florida
5. Texas
6. TCU
7. Oklahoma
8. Nebraska
9. Iowa
10. Virginia Tech
BCS BUSTERS
The premiere game in week one, at least in my opinion, is number 3 Boise State at number 10 Virginia Tech, Monday night, September 6. The BCS bustin' Broncos are in the mix at three and for good reason. They own the nation's highest winning percentage since 2000 (112-17). Just as startling is the fact that Boise State has lost just one starter from last year's squad. Cornerback Kyle Wilson was drafted by the New York Jets with the 29th overall selection in this year's draft. That leaves coach Chris Peterson with the task of replacing just one starter. That makes his job that much easier and it allows him to concentrate on a possible 12-0 season and a bid for the national title. Take that BCS.
TCU is another team to be weary of in 2010. The mighty Horned Frogs roll into the year with much confidence. Another non-BCS school rated in the top 10. TCU is ranked number 6. Gary Patterson has led his squad to a 23-3 mark over the past two seasons. All three of those losses came vs either unbeaten opponents or teams with just one regular season loss. Andy Dalton will once again lead the Horned Frogs at quarterback. He's lost a pair of starting guards, but the good news is nine starters will return. A key game for TCU comes September 4th vs Oregon State.
SEC PILLAR OF EXCELLENCE
The SEC once again rules the BCS with six teams in the top 25. Alabama is the consensus choice to repeat as national champions. The Crimson Tide return 10 starters to Nick Saben's offense. On the flip side, they lose 13 defensive starters to the NFL. That means the young recruits must step up and immediately make names for themselves. Tim Tebow is now a Denver Bronco, but Florida should be fired up with their No. 4 ranking. John Brantley takes over for Tebow for the Gators and his teammates and coaching staff are high on this kid and not just for his skills, but for his retro 70's moustache he sports as a tribute to his pops, John Brantley lll, and his former high school coach Kerwin Bell. Both are former U.F. qb's who also sported moustaches.
The other SEC schools ranked in the top 25 are No. 17 Arkansas, No. 21 LSU, No. 22 Auburn, and No. 23 Georgia.
PAC 10 WILL BECOME PAC 12
Texas and Oklahoma made some big noise this season as they threatened to leave the Big 12 for new digs in the Pac 10. They used that to their advantage by scoring some big time tv money and more exposure and remained put. However Colorado and Utah did jump ship and will join PAC 10'S party in 2011. The conference is expected to be split into two divisions with Arizona, Arizona State, USC and UCLA joining with the Utes and Buffalo's in the South while California, Stanford, Oregon, Oregon State, Washington and Washington State make up the North.
My pick for this year's top team from the PAC 10? Quack!
I like Oregon but they must overcome some hurdles to remain king of the PAC. The Ducks enjoyed 2009. The highlight... dethroning SC as conference champions. That was the high of highs for Oregon who then felt a heavy thud when they came up short vs Ohio State in the Rosebowl. More troubles followed that 26-17 loss to the Buckeyes. The off-field drama included starting running back LaMichaelMasoli. James and starting quarterback Jeremiah
Stanford and Cal should finish somewhere in the middle of the PAC. The Cardinal should fair okay within the conference, but could stumble elsewhere. They have big shoes to fill with the departure of tailback Toby Gerhart who was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings. But with the turmoil at SC and the problems at Oregon, Stanford could contend for the PAC 10 title.
Cal on the other hand, has lost key players from last season, which was less than stellar. The Golden Bears finished tied for fifth in the conference and have been disappointing in two of the last three seasons under head coach Jeff Tedford. Tedford knows this could be a make or break year for the program and for himself. Should Cal get off to a sluggish start, Tedford could begin feeling the heat.
SportsGuyPatWalsh Com
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